The Second Meeting of the Technical Steering Committee of the Project on Enhancement of a Sustainable Regional Energy Market in the Eastern Africa-Southern Africa-Indian Ocean (EA-SA-IO) Region takes place in Swakopmund, Namibia, 25 – 26 April 2018.
The project seeks to address market governance and regulatory related challenges affecting the implementation of energy development projects in the Eastern Africa, Southern Africa and Indian Ocean region. It is supported by a seven million euros fund provided under the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) for a period of four years since the signing of the grant delegation agreement with COMESA in May 2017.
The Technical Steering Committee meeting will review the status of implementation of the first one year of the project, provide guidance to ensure attainment of the project’s objectives and induct new members of the Project Management Team.
The meeting brings together five Regional Economic Communities: The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) the East African Community (EAC,) Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) and the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC).
Others are the Regional Association of Energy Regulators, Regional Power Pools, Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Centres and the representatives of the European Union Delegations to the three sub-regions.
The COMESA Regional Association of Energy Regulators for Eastern and Southern Africa (RAERESA) coordinates the implementation of the programme.
The programme has three results areas: the first is a regionally harmonized energy regulatory framework adopted by regional and national regulatory institutions, with particular emphasis on cross border issues to encourage investments in the region;
The second is the enhancement of regulatory capacity of the National Regulatory Authorities and strengthening capacity of the Regional Associations (RAERESA, EREA and RERA) and Power Pools (EAPP and SAPP) to proactively influence developments in the energy sector.
Thirdly, the enhancement of the development of renewable energy and energy efficiency strategy, policies and regulatory guidelines to attract investments in clean energy and build capacity in clean energy in the region as well as the domestication on a demand driven basis.
Contacts: Mohamedain Seif Elnasr (Ph. D.). Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
From April 26th to 29th, 100 delegates from 30 States as well as Regional and International organisations will discuss Maritime Security issues and initiatives at a Ministerial conference in Mauritius.
This major event is organized by the Republic of Mauritius, current chair of the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) and the Secretary General of IOC, with the support of the European Union (EU) through the Eastern and Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean Maritime Security Programme - MASE.
A meeting of High Officials will be held from 26th to 27th April to prepare the Ministerial Conference which is scheduled for the 28th and 29th April 2018. A Ministerial Declaration with an action plan will be adopted at the end of the meeting.
This document focuses on all the issues of Maritime Security namely cooperation mechanisms, the fight against illegal fishing and maritime traffickings (drugs, human, money laundering), terrorist risk, environmental crimes and marine pollution.
One of the outcome of the Ministerial Conference is the signature of the two regional agreements on the exchange of maritime information and the coordination of operations at sea. These agreements, developed as part of the EU-funded MASE programme, reflect the willingness of the regional States (IOC member States, Djibouti, Kenya, Tanzania and Somalia) to enhance their collaboration to tackle effectively maritime threats and crimes.
The setting up of the two regional centres, one specialized in the exchange and sharing of maritime information in Madagascar and the other one specialized in the coordination of operations at sea, based in Seychelles, are the core subjects of these agreements.
They will be useful instruments for securing the 6 million km2 vast ocean areas of the of the Western Indian Ocean.
Maritime security in the Western Indian Ocean Basin is a major challenge for sustainable development throughout Eastern and Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean (ESA-IO).
The multiplicity of threats, crimes and offenses at sea undermine political stability, economic growth, social progress and the preservation of natural environments and resources. The answer to these challenges, be it piracy, drug trafficking, terrorist threat, illegal fishing or pollution at sea, can only be collective. No Regional States can control the vast EEZ by itself.
The support of the international community is therefore necessary. It is even legitimate in so far as the western Indian Ocean, crossed by international shipping routes, is an area of common interests.
In order to mobilize national, regional and international partners in favour of maritime security and safety, the Indian Ocean Commission, mandated by its extraordinary Council of Ministers in October 2017, is co-organizing together with the Republic of Mauritius with the support of the European Union, a Ministerial Conference on Maritime Security in the Western Indian Ocean from 26 to 29 April 2018 in Mauritius.
This Conference aims at giving a new impetus to concrete collaborations for the long-term security of the vast maritime areas of the ESA-OI region in full compliance with the Conventions and Strategies in force.
East African Legislative Assembly, Dodoma, April 18 2018:
EALA late yesterday extensively debated and passed the East African Community Oaths Bill, 2018 paving way for employees of the Community and persons giving evidence before the East African Court of Justice, the Assembly and related quasi bodies to swear oath of affirmation.
The debate which resumed following its interruption on March 15, 2018, was preceded by the presentation to the House of the Report of the Committee on Legal Rules and Privileges Committee by Chairperson, Hon Fatuma Ndangiza.
At debate, the Assembly stated the Bill lacked provisions for sanctioning individuals who violate the oath or affirmation, lie under oath or disclose pertinent and confidential information and called for the Committee on Legal, Rules and Privileges in consultation with the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers to include the requisite penal provision(s).
The EAC Oaths Bill, 2018 is important to the Community because it legislates for the oaths or affirmation to be taken by people employed by or provides service to the Community, as well as to individuals giving evidence before the East African Court of Justice, the Committee of the East African Legislative Assembly and Quasi-Judicial Bodies of the Community.
According to Article 72 (1) of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community, requires all staff of the Community to pay allegiance to the Community and provides in part that “in the performance of their functions, that staff of the Community shall not seek or receive instruction from any Partner State of from any other authority external to the Community.
The report observes that the laws providing for oaths do not ordinarily provide for sanctions against the breach of the oath or affirmation. Members further observed that penalties for breach of confidentiality or secrecy are usually provided for by either the penal or criminal laws of a jurisdiction or specifically provided for in laws relating to protection of confidentiality or secrecy. The Oaths Bill, 2018 seeks to provide for the obligation to take oaths or affirmation and to prescribe the actual oaths or affirmations. To include sanctions in the Bill would be going into territory that should be the subject of another law on confidentiality”, it adds.
The report notes that until a specific law on confidentiality information or secrecy is developed, there are other laws in the Community and in the Partner States that may be used to punish those that breach confidentiality, including the EAC Staff Rules and Regulations, Rules of Procedure of the East African Court of Justice, the East African Legislative Assembly (Powers and Privileges) Act, 2003 and the Rules of Procedure of the East African Legislative Assembly.
In his contribution, Hon. Aden Omar Abdikadir lauded the Committee Members and the House at large for many hours put in getting the specific Bill and said it was a sign of commitment to the work of the Community. Members who rose up in support of the debate were Hon Norru Abdi, Hon. Dr. Abdullah Hasnuu Makame, Hon. Wanjiku Muhia, Hon. Rose Akol Okullu, Hon. Fatuma Ibrahim Ali, Hon. Dr. Francois Xavier Kalinda, and Hon. Gideion Gaptan Thoar.
Others included Hon. Kennedy Mukulia, Hon. Oda Gasinzigwa, Hon. Simon Mbugua Nganga, Hon. Paul Musamali, Hon. Maryam Ussi Yahya, Hon. Josephine Sebastian Lemoyan and Hon. Mathias Kasamba. The House further received contributions from Hon. Mary Mugyenyi, Hon. Dennis Namara, Hon. Gai Deng, Hon. Eng. Mnyaa Mohammed Habib, Hon. Fancy Nkuhi Haji, Hon. Adam Kimbisa and Hon. Christopher Opoka Okumu and the Council of EAC Ministers.
Meanwhile the Rt. Hon. Speaker paid a courtesy call to the Regional Commissioner of Dodoma, Dr. Binilith Mahenge and the Regional Police Commander, Mr Gilles Bilabaye Muroto who both accorded their support to the Assembly.
- ENDS -
For more information, please contact:
Bobi Odiko Senior Public Relations Officer East African Legislative Assembly Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255-27-2508240 Fax: +255-27-2503103 Cell: +255-787-870945, +254-733-718036 Email: BOdiko [at] eachq.org Web: www.eala.org
About the East African Legislative Assembly:
The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) is the Legislative Organ of the Community and has a cardinal function to further EAC objectives, through its Legislative, Representative and Oversight mandate. It was established under Article 9 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community.
Recognizing the aspiration expressed by EAC Partner States to develop their pharmaceutical industry including vaccine manufacturing, as part of the regions’, social, economic and political integration agenda;
Noting the strategic importance of developing local production of pharmaceutical products in promoting access to affordable quality vaccines as outlined in the EAC Regional Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Plan Of Action for the period 2017-2027;
Motivated by the growing pharmaceutical spending in Africa at a compound annual growth rate of 10.6%, in particular, the growth in the East African Community (EAC which has the highest pharmaceutical sales growth in Africa estimated at 12.4% in the next five years, and further spurred by a convergence of demographic changes, increasing wealth and healthcare investment, and challenges around increasing cases of chronic diseases.
Cognizant of the utmost importance of strengthening regional and national coordination of industrial and health, policies to ensure a coherent policy environment, reliable government procurement, product quality assurance, and market certainty for local production and improving access to vaccines.
Noting on the one hand that a huge amount of all vaccines supplied by GAVI and other partners go to Africa and that on the other hand a growing number of countries are on a trajectory to graduate out of GAVI support, a huge demand for regional vaccine production can be identified in Africa.
Aware of the positive socio-economic impact that regional manufacturing of vaccines will have on the EAC economies in addition to their secured availability through reforms in the procurement strategy, and noting that effective implementation of procurement policy and practices would catalyse regional vaccine supply,
Conscious of the crucial role played by regional businesses to realise the regional vaccine supply, and the prominent role occupied by transfer of technology as a means to promoting local production in developing countries and improving access to vaccines with the intent of enabling the technological or manufacturing capacity in the region;
Reaffirming the necessity for states and private entities to work together to guarantee a regulatory framework in which businesses focussing on regional vaccine production can flourish;
Eager to build upon the important momentum the present symposium has triggered a follow-up by all parties present shall be guaranteed whilst inviting others to join these efforts; and
Acknowledging the aforementioned and guided by the outmost importance of vaccines in mitigating the social and economic impact caused by infectious diseases, the symposium participants drawn from the public and private sector, gathered on the 18th of April 2018 in Arusha, in order to discuss the opportunities and challenges of regional vaccine production in East Africa region, now resolve as follows:
EAC to develop a harmonized regional policy and regulatory framework for local production of vaccines which will contribute to health security by ensuring uninterrupted supply of essential vaccines and further prevent greater disruptions in rural and poor areas.;
EAC to promote the establishment of a regional bio-technology and vaccine manufacturing hub, to facilitate technology transfer, promote local production and improving access to vaccines with the intent of enabling the technological or manufacturing capacity of the region in a mutually beneficial manner, while promoting public health objectives.
EAC to commit to enhance resources to improve Health system infrastructure and human resources with respect to vaccination (vaccine delivery infrastructure). This should be examined comprehensively to identify gaps and opportunities.
EAC regulatory agencies to share regulatory knowledge and experience and harmonize approaches to inspection and control to greatest extent possible to mitigate health risks associated with large volumes of biological medicinal products crossing national borders,
EAC to consider establishing a regional vaccine manufacturing facility either through public-private partnership or purely public agency to meet the regional demand for vaccine supplies within the framework of regional industries. In this regards, there is need for quick harmonization of the relevant national and regional procurement and distribution policies and Identify opportunities and incentives to promote local production and sourcing of vaccines and related materials.
EAC in collaboration with East African Business Council; Federation of East African Pharmaceutical Manufacturers FEAPM to explore the scope for formation of advocacy platform and networks for Vaccine manufacturing comprising governmental organizations, researchers, private sector to provide forum to discuss challenges, opportunities and emerging issues including diseases and partnership;
AS first step towards vaccine production in the region, EAC to give priority to pool procurement of vaccine as an opportunity to lower the prices for vaccine and ensure stable access and supply. Regional mechanisms with specific agreed term of references should be established to look at the procurement criteria and negotiation with manufacturers. A similar example from ECOWAS should be studied;
EAC to put in place fiscal and non fiscal incentive frameworks that will promote local production of vaccines and drive investments in the pharmaceutical sector local production in general. In addition the EAC Partner States to put in place a conducive investment climate that will lower the cost of doing business and promote foreign direct investment that is market driven.
EAC to collaborate with academia, East African Science and Technology Commision (EASTECO), and other partners to promote best practices, science, technology and innovation to enhance competitiveness in local production of vaccines.
East African Community Secretariat, Arusha, Tanzania, 18th April, 2018:
The 1st East African Vaccine Production Symposium kicked off in Arusha, Tanzania today with the Chairperson of the East African Community Council of Ministers, Hon. Dr. Kirunda Kivejinja, disclosing that the Community produces less than 30 per cent of the medicines required by its citizens, while importing the rest.
Hon. Kivejinja, who is also Uganda’s 2nd Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for EAC Affairs, further said that vaccines were among a category of medicines for which the region wholly depends on imports because there was currently no local production capacity.
Dr. Kivejinja, however, pointed out that the EAC had the highest projected pharmaceutical sales growth on the continent estimated at 12.4% over the next five years, a fact which points to immense business and investment opportunities for the private sector.
Hon. Kivejinja said it was worrying that communicable diseases like HIV/AIDS, and diaorrhea which were preventable were among the leading causes of death in the EAC, adding that the statistics for Sub-Saharan Africa were also not good.
“According to the World Health Organisation, non-communicable diseases like cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and chronic respiratory disease are projected to overtake communicable diseases in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2030. Deaths from non-communicable diseases are expected to account for 42% of all deaths by 2020, up from roughly 25% today,” he said.
Hon. Kivejinja also launched the 2nd EAC Regional Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Plan of Action for the period 2017-2027, a plan that he said serve as a roadmap to guide the Community towards evolving into an efficient and effective regional pharmaceutical manufacturing hub.
“We have the need and you have the capacity to satisfy our need,” Hon. Kivejinja told private sector representatives.
He outlined a number of potential niches for expansion of the local product portfolio highlighted in the plan, namely the production of advanced formulations for non-communicable diseases, veterinary pharmaceuticals and development of natural products and traditional medicines.
“The plan also focuses on supporting production of active pharmaceutical ingredients and excipients as well as promoting the sector specific service industry,” he added.
EAC Secretary General Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko, in remarks read on his behalf by the Deputy Secretary General in charge of Productive and Social Sectors, Hon. Christophe Bazivamo, said that the EAC was keen on upscaling its efforts on the transformation of regional economies through value addition, manufacturing and processing in the pharmaceutical sector.
Amb. Mfumukeko noted that compared with other regions on the continent, the pharmaceutical spending in the EAC region was the highest with an estimated current market rate of US$5.3 billion.
“In Africa, the pharmaceutical spending is currently estimated at US$30 billion and this value is driven by a 10.6% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) second only to Asia Pacific (12.5%) and in line with Latin America (10.5%). Spurred by a convergence of demographic changes, increased wealth and healthcare investment and rising demand for medicines to treat chronic diseases, this market potentially represents a US$45 billion opportunity by 2020,” said the Secretary General.
Amb. Mfumukeko said that the region currently suffers from several challenges in pharmaceuticals production including a skills gap in product development and formulation expertise, and lack of appropriate and affordable financing for the sector.
Speaking at the forum, Ms. Asmau Nitardy, the Eastern Africa Regional Director of the German-African Business Association, said that the German health sector offers great potential to meet East African needs in medical technology and pharmaceutical sector.
“Innovative solutions are needed in healthcare infrastructure with the improvement of healthcare systems being an important policy focus in East Africa. The other major trend is the rising demand for medicines and equipment to treat chronic, non-communicable diseases,” said Nitardy.
“German companies are already well placed to cater to both industries having long-standing ties with various East African nations. The high quality of their products technical expertise in training local staff has made German medical companies a valuable partner to local authorities,” she added.
Also present at the event were the Rwandan Minister of Health, Dr. Diane Gashumba, Dr. Dafrossa Lyimo, Head of the Immunization Programme in Tanzania’s Ministry of Health, Dr. Kirsten Focken, the GIZ Programme Manager, and Mr. Nazeem Mohammed, the Chairman of the Federation of East African Pharmaceutical Manufacturers.
-ENDS-
For more information, please contact:
Mr Owora Richard Othieno Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department EAC Secretariat Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255 784 835021 Email: OOthieno [at] eachq.org
About the East African Community Secretariat:
The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
East African Kiswahili Commission, Zanzibar, 13th April, 2018:
The East African Kiswahili Commission (EAKC) has been urged to use Kiswahili soft power to accelerate and enhance regional integration and sustainable development in the East African Community (EAC). This call was made by the Deputy Secretaries General of the EAC, Hon. Jesca Eriyo (Finance and Administration) and Eng. Steven Mlote (Planning and Infrastructure) during a national Training Workshop on Capacity Assessment of the Development and Use of Kiswahili in the United Republic of Tanzania.
The Workshop was organized by the EAKC at a Dar-es-Salaam hotel on 10th -11thApril, 2018 and attended by 35 participants drawn from various stakeholders from across the United Republic of Tanzania.
Hon. Jesca Eriyo observed that capacity assessment is an important milestone in the implementation of the Commission’s Strategic Plan of harmonizing and promoting the development and use of Kiswahili in regional integration and sustainable development. She noted that Kiswahili is an important power and resource that can help the community in realizing its agenda.
Hon. Eriyo singled out the United Republic of Tanzania for having realized the importance of Kiswahili in national cohesion at an early stage. She said that there are important lessons for the rest of EAC Partner States to learn from Tanzania in integrating Kiswahili in national development plans, prorammes and projects. She noted that Kiswahili is fast spreading across the region and beyond, and being used at multiple levels to transmit knowledge and values.
In his address to the participants, the Deputy Secretary in charge of Planning and Infrastructure, Eng. Steven Mlote appreciated the importance of Kiswahili in various development domains. He noted that whereas infrastructure development is largely understood as depending on hard power, Kiswahili as a soft power is equally important and necessary for holistic development.
Eng. Mlote observed that in their interactions with citizens of East Africa, various professionals require appropriate Kiswahili communication skills to be effective. ‘Kiswahili is so dynamic that different East African communities and professionals are interacting and using it in different ways. You cannot talk of the development and use of Kiswahili without referring to Kiswahili for specific purposes, including the movement of various professionals.’
Eng. Mlote urged the researchers to find out what skills need to be developed and asked the Commission to develop them. To demonstrate its commitment to the development and use of Kiswahili in the EAC, Eng. Mlote urged the Commission to develop and implement Kiswahili programmes at the EAC Secretariat for Staff and other international community in Arusha who may require them.
In his remarks, the EAKC Executive Secretary, Prof. Kenneth Simala, said that the Workshop in Dar-es-Salaam was part of a series of regional trainings that are taking place across all EAC Partner States.
He said that though generally not appreciated, the language question is at the core of EAC regional integration and development. Prof. Simala observed that Kiswahili language cannot be considered as just an instrument of wider communication, but as a regional identity marker with a strong symbolic value, and a resource in economic development of the Community in terms of popular culture as well as creative industries.
He noted that Kiswahili linguistic governance in EAC is a very technical and political matter that the Commission is navigating with care and caution in the context of regionalization and globalization.
The ES promised to initiate Kiswahili programmes at the Secretariat so that those desirous to learn Kiswahili can be facilitated.
For more information, please contact:
Executive Director East African Kiswahili Commission Maisara Street P.O. Box 600 Zanzibar, Tanzania Tel: +255 024 2232704/ +255 024 2232722 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
About the East African Kiswahili Commission:
The East African Kiswahili Commission (EACK) is an institution of the East African Community based in Zanzibar, The United Republic of Tanzania. The Commission started its operations in May, 2015 and has developed the Annual Operations Plan for 2016-2017. The Commission’s vision is to be the leading body in the promotion and coordination of the development and usage of Kiswahili for regional integration and sustainable development.
East African Court of Justice Nairobi, 13thApril, 2018:
Hon Peter Gatirau Munya, Cabinet Secretary in charge of the Ministry of East African Community and Norther Corridor Development, Republic of Kenya,at the closing ceremony of EACJ Plenary, committed to pursue to the Council, the conclusion and determination of the permanent seat of the Court urgently, to enable the Honorable Judges to work on a permanent basis as opposed to the current ad-hocarrangement.
He said that it is necessary as the integration process continues to grow, to ensure that the Court’s officials can fully concentrate on the discharge of their crucial mandate in the service of the Community.
He also a lauded the Court for its very progressive jurisprudence, which has served as a guiding light for our national courts as well as other courts around the World. “Despite the Court’s jurisdiction being initially limited to the interpretation and application of the EAC Treaty, the Court has not been deterred from creatively making pronouncements on other crucial matters like respect for the rule of law and human rights” said the Cabinet Secretary.
He further added that “we must recognize that the extension of the jurisdiction of the Court is a process and a journey, which in the fullness of time, will lead to a further expansion, as the Community grows and integration continues to deepen and widen.”
Hon Munyi further said that, the role of the Court in the integration process cannot be overemphasized, that, the Court’s effective and efficient execution of its mandate as an arbiter in dispute resolution contributes greatly to confidence building in the region. It also ensures uniformity in the application of legal principles and laws across the EAC, which ensures certainty in trade and other aspects of integration.
The Cabinet Secretary noted that, the Court has continued to strengthen the rule of law and development of human rights standards by boldly denouncing human rights violations, and pointed a case from the Republic of Rwanda Versus Plaxeda Rugumba (Appeal No. 1 of 2012), where the Appellate Division of the Court explicitly stated that holding a person incommunicado for five months without judicial order, was an obvious breach of the principles of the Community espoused in the EAC Treaty.
He commended the jurisprudence of the Court which demonstrates the Court’s adherence to the doctrine of separation of powers and this was illustrated in the case of Mbidde Foundation Limited & Hon Margaret Zziwa, where the First Instance Division declined to intervene in EALA’s process of impeachment of the Rt. Hon Zziwa as Speaker of EALA, on the basis that, it would amount to undermining the doctrine of the separation of powers.
He further acknowledged the crucial role that the Court has played in resolving disputes within the Community as expressed in the Treaty, which is a living document that continues to be kept alive by the Court’s pronouncements.
Hon Munya strongly urged the Court to increase its public engagement and outreach activities in order to raise awareness on the Court’s mandate and it’s extended and arbitration jurisdiction, so as to ensure that this great Organ of the Community does not remain under-utilized. He also assured the Ministry’s support in walking the journey, for greater good of the people of East Africa.
He retaliated that Kenya remains a solid, committed and responsive Partner in the EAC integration process. As a country, “We fully support the fundamental principles of the Community as enumerated in Article 6 of the EAC Treaty which include peaceful co-existence, good neighborliness, good governance, cooperation for mutual benefit and peaceful settlement of disputes which is particularly relevant to the mandate of the Court”, said the Cabinet Secretary
His Lordship, the President of the Court, Justice Dr Emmanuel Ugirashebuja, commended the Cabinet Secretary for his support and informed him of the resolutions adopted by the Plenary, among others is the adoption of the EACJ Strategic Plan 2018-2023 and the proposals on the amendments of Chapter 8 of the Treaty.
He also told the Cabinet Secretary that, the Plenary also resolved to fully implement the financial and administrative autonomy that was unconditionally granted by the Council of Ministers in 2016.
The President called upon the Cabinet Secretary to express the challenge to the Heads of State and to end the ad-hoc service of the judges. He finally thanked the Judges and Staff of the Court for their contribution to the development of the Strategic plan and encouraged them to be more committed as the implementation process begins immediately.
The Strategic Plan identifies on the major six (6) strategic issues and these include: Institutionalization of the Court, Design of the Court, Appreciation of the Court, Visibility of the Court, Capacity of the Court and Information Communication Technology (ICT) of the Court.
The court Plenary followed several workshops: The Validation of the EACJ Strategic Plan for the next five (5) years 2018-2023, that was adopted, the Rules Committee meeting which reviewed and proposed amendments of the rules of procedure of the Court, to ease the litigants concerns and the training of Judges and Registrars on arbitration practices, All the meetings took place in Nairobi and were earlier officiated by the Chief Justice of Kenya.
The Plenary was attended by the all Judges, Registrars and staff of the Court.
For more information, please contact:
Yufnalis Okubo Registrar East African Court of Justice Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255 27 2162149 mail: Okubo [at] eachq.org www.eacj.org
About the East African Court of Justice:
The East African Court of Justice (EACJ or ‘the Court’), is one of the organs of the East African Community established under Article 9 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community. Established in November 2001, the Court’s major responsibility is to ensure the adherence to law in the interpretation and application of and compliance with the EAC Treaty.
Arusha is the temporary seat of the Court until the Summit determines its permanent seat. The Court’s sub-registries are located in the respective National Courts in the Partner States.
East African Court of Justice Nairobi,12th April 201:
EACJ Judges and Registrars resumed a two-day training on arbitration, facilitated by the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Kenya. The training mainly covers a number of issues on arbitration process, and these include: arbitration practice, drafting and decision making in settling disputes.
His Lordship the President of EACJ, Justice Dr Emmanuel Ugirashebuja, in his remarks said that, as the Court grows, there is need to improve on the knowledge and skills of the Judges in arbitration jurisdiction and practices within the region. He further said that as Judges, “We need to have an open mind to learn a lot and to change the Judge/Lawyer mind set to the arbitrator mind set, in order to be effective arbitrators” His Lordship stated.
Justice Ugirashebuja, emphasized that, the Court will continue engaging the Institute in such training programs to enhance its capacity building.
EACJ has arbitration jurisdiction and provides arbitration services without payment of any fees.
The Court has so far handled two arbitration disputes and as the Common Market Protocol implementation process continues, several disputes are likely to arise, hence the residents of the Community may bring the matters to the Court for interpretation and settlement.
In an interview with the Chairman of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Mr Calvin Nyachoti said that, it is very important to equip the regional Courts with the arbitration knowledge, so that Litigants should not take such disputes outside East Africa and Africa as whole, which is very costly. He also added that arbitration is faster than Court litigation because a case in court can take more years compared to arbitration.
Mr Nyachoti, commended the commitment of the EACJ in continuously engaging in arbitration trainings, to improve the Judges knowledge on arbitration. He said that there is no doubt this will benefit the residents of the Community as the court continues to receive various disputes on arbitration.
He encouraged the Court noting that most of the East African Partner States have adopted arbitration as a dispute settlement mechanism with in their respective jurisdictions, these include the Republic of Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and United Republic of Tanzania.
Mr Nyachoti also commended the judges for taking the training as the arbitration knowledge and skills will enable them fully join the arbitration fellowships in their respective countries once they complete their tenure at the EACJ.
He further said that, early this year in February, the Institute engaged the COMESA Court of Justice in training the Judges in arbitration practices and will also engage the African Court of Human and Peoples’ Rights in May 2018.
Arbitration is the process of settling disputes that arise from commercial agreements, the matters are handled in private unlike litigation where a case is handled in public Courts.
In attendance were Judges of the Court, Registrar & Deputy Registrar. The facilitators from the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators include: Mr Collins Namachanja, Course Director, Ms Njeri Kariuki, Tutor and Mr Simon Ondiek, facilitator.
For more information, please contact:
Yufnalis Okubo Registrar East African Court of Justice Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255 27 2162149 mail: Okubo [at] eachq.org www.eacj.org
About the East African Court of Justice:
The East African Court of Justice (EACJ or ‘the Court’), is one of the organs of the East African Community established under Article 9 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community. Established in November 2001, the Court’s major responsibility is to ensure the adherence to law in the interpretation and application of and compliance with the EAC Treaty.
Arusha is the temporary seat of the Court until the Summit determines its permanent seat. The Court’s sub-registries are located in the respective National Courts in the Partner States.
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 11th April, 2018: The Secretary General of the East African Community, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko has held discussions with officials from the Federal Republic of Germany’s Ministries for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and Foreign Affairs, and KfW Development Bank on regional priorities for collaboration for the next three (3) years and signed a five (5) million Euros agreement to support the scholarship programme for East African students.
BMZ delegation was led by Hon. Dr. Maria Flachsbarth, Parliamentary State Secretary; Germany Foreign Ministry delegation was led by Amb. Georg Schmidt, Regional Director for Sub-Saharan Africa and the Sahel; and KFW delegation was led by Dr. Klaus Müller, KFW Director Eastern Africa, DR Congo, and African Union.
Amb. Mfumukeko informed his hosts that the main purpose of his visit to the three Institutions to appreciate the support of the Federal Republic of Germany is giving to the EAC integration agenda. He reiterated that for almost two decades, the Federal Republic of Germany has been supporting EAC through financial as well as technical cooperation and that so far Germany's contribution to the EAC amounts was almost Euro 285 million.
The Federal Republic of Germany has been supporting the EAC in Health and Pharmaceutical Sectors; Trade and Customs; Gender and Education; Monetary harmonization, Institutional Capacity Strengthening and EAC Partnership Fund.
During the meetings, the Secretary General highlighted the EAC priorities for the next 5-year years as spelt out in the 5th EAC Development Strategy, which was launched by the EAC Heads of State in February 2018. These include, among others, consolidation of the Single Customs Territory (SCT) to cover all imports and intra-EAC traded goods, including agricultural and other widely consumed products; infrastructure development; further liberalization of free movement of labor across the Partner States; and enhancement of regional industrial development through investment in key priority sectors, skills development, technological advancement and innovation to stimulate economic development.
Others include improvement of agricultural productivity, value addition and facilitation of movement of agricultural goods to enhance food security in the region; promotion of regional peace, security and good governance; and institutional transformation at the regional and Partner State levels.
In addition to the areas that the Federal Republic is currently supporting, the Secretary General requested Germany to consider support the sectors of Agriculture, Industrial development especially Agro-processing, and ICT as part of institutional transformation.
In regard to support to agriculture. Dr. Klaus Müller, the KFW Director Eastern Africa, DR Congo, and African Union, urged the EAC to explore a mechanism of using the well-established East African Development Bank to channel some support to the smallholder farmers.
The possibility of channeling funds through commercial banks with specifics/favorable terms and conditions geared towards promoting companies acting in that sector was also discussed. KFW indicated that it was already supporting Agriculture initiatives at bilateral level but always channels the support through Development Banks.
The German officials agreed to explore different ways to support the EAC Agriculture at regional level, as well as ICT. Indeed ICT enhancement will enhance transparency and value for money in the regional bloc.
On industrial development, it was agreed that Germany and EAC shall collaborate for technology transfer, experience sharing and possibility of doing business to enable direct access to markets for EAC companies. KFW and EAC also discussed how the immunization programme with GAVI could be shaped up in the next 3 years.
On the scholarship programme, KFW recommended that the EAC should mobilize additional funds to support the propgramme from the Partner States contribution but also from other donors.
The Scholarship Programme will be implemented in cooperation with the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) and KFW. The objective of this programme is to promote EAC’s regional integration agenda by supporting higher education students and their role in fostering awareness for the East African integration process, creating social change as well as economic growth.
Under Component A “Scholarships”, the Project offers financial support for academically skilled but disadvantaged master students with the main focus on Mathematic, Informatics, Science, Technology (MINT) or Business Science and women are especially encourage to join MINT-courses.
The students shall also become acquainted with another country of the EAC through a semester or full studies abroad, based on individual preferences. Comparable to the European Erasmus Programme, a higher degree of regional identity shall be promoted. At the Universities mentors will be selected in order to support the students during the master programme. The project shall finance the first three cohorts of master students of approx.157 students over their full study time of 2 years.
Component C will support capacity building within EAC and Partner States, and will be implemented by the EAC Secretariat.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Hon. Dr. Maria Flachsbarth, Parliamentary State Secretary reiterated the continued support by the Federal Republic of Germany to the education sector in the EAC. She said that her government was contented with the support to EAC to deepen the integration process, asserting that “for successful regional integration and development, young generation matters a lot, therefore the scholarship programme is very key”.
Also present at the meetings were Mr. Niels Breyer, Head of East African Division BMZ; George Rademacher, Deputy Head of East African Division BMZ; Mr. Ralph Timmermann, BMZ Head of Division East Africa, Horn of Africa, Sudan and South Sudan; and Mrs Arlina Elmiger, KFW Head of Division Health and Education.
